Huhne Wins!

Chris Huhne has held Eastleigh with a convincing win – increasing his majority by about 3500. Despite coming second Maria Hutchings also increased the Conservative vote by 2500. This would have been enough to overturn the 530 defecit last time out – and the conservatives certainly felt they had done enough to win outright – but a collapse in the Labour vote as former Labour voters tactically switched to Lib Dem put the result beyond them.

This was the best result for both parties since 1992.

The Labour vote reduced by half from 10,000 to 5,000. Their worst result in Eastleigh for over 30 years.

Ukip meanwhile increased their vote marginally but not enough to save a their deposit or push Labour to fourth which was their target.

In the end it was the bookies that called it right. They installed Chris Huhne as odds on favourite from the start and this never wavered.

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7 comments for “Huhne Wins!”

Peter Stewart

May 7, 2010 at 9:32 am

Chris Huhne is in power AGAIN thanks to UKIP. In 2005 UKIP took 1,669 votes and split the Tory vote to devastating effect, handing Huhne a very slender 568 majority.

Although last night Huhne’s increased majority APPEARS to have come independently of UKIP, in reality it is clear that from the Tory perspective, the devastating UKIP effect continues to reverberate. Had UKIP not stood in 2005 Huhne would NOT be there now!

If the Tories want to get into power, they must neutralize UKIP first. This can ONLY be done by committing to an in-out referendum! If they refuse to do this, they WILL carry on losing! It’s that simple!

Matthew Myatt

May 7, 2010 at 1:29 pm

Dont take the sign’s down yet..!!

It will all have to be done again in less than six months.

Peter Stewart

May 7, 2010 at 6:19 pm

Yes! Keep the election posters up! But I see much more than 6 months before the next Election. Gordon Brown hungers to stay in 10 Downing Street! He will therefore offer ANYTHING to the LibDems to stay there. Only one thing will GUARANTEE their support: The promise of rapid voting reform (proportional representation). With PR we should see our first UKIP MPs at the NEXT Election.

David

May 7, 2010 at 8:47 pm

UKIP MPs,oh.for goodness sake.Did anyone see the group of sad losers at last nights count?You would have to have an awful sense of humur and an absolutely disregard for serious issues.They looked like extras from an adapted Agetha Christie film!

Eastleigh Xpress

May 7, 2010 at 9:00 pm

Actually, I saw several groups of sad losers.
I felt particulary sorry for one of the young Tory party workers who I know had worked his bollocks off.
Ray Finch was quite despondent too.
No need for anyone to feel glum though, after all, it’s only a game and I’m sure you will all get a second go at it shortly.
I can’t wait!!

Peter Stewart

May 9, 2010 at 3:57 pm

UKIP MPs for all their non-conformity to “Conservative” standards of speech, dress and treason, would make infinitely better MPs precisely for those reasons of non-conformity. We elect MPs to represent us, not to betray us.

Peter Stewart

May 9, 2010 at 3:59 pm

Hah! I’ve just noticed the picture of the broken Maria Hutchings poster. I guess that just about sums up the Tory party in Eastleigh: BROKEN!